Mourinho leaves Fenerbahce after failing to reach CL group stage

José Mourinho has left his role as head coach of Fenerbahce after one season, the Istanbul club announced on Friday, days after the Turkish side failed to reach the Champions League group stage following a playoff defeat to Benfica. The aggregate 1-0 loss in Portugal, sealed by Kerem Aktürkoğlu's 35th-minute goal, ended Fenerbahce's hopes of returning to Europe's top competition and precipitated the managerial change, officials said.

Benfica, the first club Mourinho coached, had two first-half goals ruled out after video review before Aktürkoğlu's rising shot proved decisive in the second leg. The tie had been poised after a 0-0 draw in Istanbul in the opening leg. With the defeat, Fenerbahce will compete in the Europa League this season. Other teams to complete the 36-club Champions League league phase included Club Brugge, Copenhagen and Qarabag, tournament organizers said, with the group-stage draw due Thursday in Monaco.

Fenerbahce released a club statement saying the coach who had led the team since the start of the 2024-25 season and "has been carrying out his duties" would part ways with the club, thanking him for his efforts and wishing him success in the future. Media...